Intern
By Linda Banfi Although the main opinion of New Economic Geography (NEG) experts has been for long that larger cities are the best for economic growth, in his paper “Why Size Really Doesn’t Matter: From Megacity Myths to Place-Sensitive Prosperity,” (December 2025), the economic geographer Andrés Rodríguez-Pose argues that the key to better economic outcomes … Read more
Environmental, demographic, and socio-economic changes are putting pressure on traditional models of territorial development. For many years, growth has been driven by the linear economy, based on a logic of continuous expansion: produce, consume, and discard, with a steady increase in resources, infrastructure, and supply. This model has supported economic development, but today it shows … Read more
With record numbers of visitors and growing populations, Europe’s cities are facing a simple but urgent challenge: how to remain affordable, liveable, and welcoming — for residents and visitors alike. By Euronews This question was at the centre of a debate hosted by Euronews at TheMerode in Brussels where policymakers, urban planners and industry representatives … Read more
With the highest housing and childcare costs in the UK, raising a family in London is simply out of reach for many By South China Morning Post London’s child population is collapsing faster than anywhere in Britain as unaffordable housing and childcare costs drive young families away, a report by the London Assembly found. In … Read more
Places that foster relationships, community and territorial attractiveness. A people-centred urban and territorial strategy contrasts with models of quantitative expansion, focusing instead on valuing the resources already present in a place. In this approach, the goal is not mainly to build new structures, but to reactivate and redesign what already exists—public spaces, buildings, services and … Read more
In 2024, 3.55 million babies were born in the EU, a 3.3% decrease from the 3.67 million in 2023. The total fertility rate for 2024 was 1.34 live births per woman in the EU, down from 1.38 in 2023. This is the lowest rate since 2001, the first year for which the EU value is available. This information comes from data … Read more
Towns and cities are home to nearly three quarters of the EU’s population. Many EU cities and urban areas are vibrant spaces of economic growth and innovation. However, they also face complex challenges, such as tackling inequalities, addressing housing and demographic issues, building inclusive societies and responding to climate change and environmental degradation. Cities are … Read more
The European Commission, through the European Urban Initiative (EUI), will launch in 2026 the 4th “Innovative Actions” Call, one of the main direct funding opportunities for European cities under EU Cohesion Policy. This programme supports highly innovative pilot projects designed to test new solutions to complex urban challenges and produce results that can be replicated … Read more
In recent years, mountain policies have gradually shifted their focus: no longer growth by adding new infrastructure, but the full and smart use of existing facilities. In a context marked by rising costs, environmental constraints, and mature systems, sustainability increasingly depends on the ability to intensify use, broaden the group of beneficiaries, and increase the social value of structures that are already in place. By Luciano Malfer, Research and Family Development Manager, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) This is the … Read more
By FEFN News Working poverty, which affects people who are employed but unable to meet their basic needs, has a more severe impact on households with three or more children, where it stands at 19%, more than double the average (8%). This is revealed in the latest European Employment and Social Outlook – Quarterly Review … Read more
Hosted in the heart of the European Quarter at the European Committee of the Regions on 11 February, the Congress brought together attendees from over 10 countries to discuss the theme of “Free to Stay, Family and Cohesion Policies for Territorial Development.” With the demographic crisis looming as a threat to the future of the … Read more
To foster inclusive learning environments, higher education institutions can implement these supportive strategies to deal with the issues, challenges, and situations students with children and families face. By NOE This toolkit was developed within a 30-month Erasmus+ partnership project led by the Hungarian Association of Large Families (Nagycsaládosok Országos Egyesülete – NOE). The project aims … Read more
